Cubs Bench Unit Disaster Needs Immediate Upgrade Before Season Lost

Cubs Bench Unit Disaster Needs Immediate Upgrade Before Season Lost image

The Chicago Cubs are expected to heavily pursue starting pitching upgrades at the trade deadline, but they’ve got another problem that’s just as pressing.

Their bench is terrible.

The Cubs brought in veteran corner infielder Justin Turner to platoon with Michael Busch at first base, but he hasn’t contributed much of anything. Jon Berti and Vidal Brujan handle pinch-running duties and occasionally start at third base, but both have been black holes offensively.

The best piece on the bench right now is catcher Reese McGuire. McGuire’s actually played well in Miguel Amaya’s absence and will probably stick around as a third catcher when Amaya returns from injury.

Outside of McGuire, the rest of the bench has put up offensive numbers that are borderline unplayable.

Let’s put it this way – the numbers are ugly. According to The Wrigley Wire, Berti is slashing .202/.256/.226 with a 40 wRC+, Brujan is slashing .161/.188/.226 with a 13 wRC+ and Turner is slashing .202/.289/.262 with a 61 wRC+.

Each player has a negative Wins Above Replacement, and none of them play good enough defense to make up for their offensive struggles.

Turner’s a great clubhouse guy, but he’s playing way too much and taking valuable plate appearances away from Busch, who needs the at-bats to develop.

Who the Cubs will target remains unclear, but if they don’t address this by next month, it’s going to hurt them down the stretch.

The Cubs enter July with a 49-35 record and a two-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central. They’re in position to make noise in October, but bench depth matters in the postseason.

That’s where an upgrade becomes essential. Starting pitching gets the headlines, but having reliable options off the bench can be the difference between advancing and going home early.

Luke Bennett avatar
Luke Bennett
4 months ago